Back Vikrant Srivastava National Coordinator International Cooperation/COP He is a multidisciplinary climate action professional with years of experience, specializing in impact investing and intergovernmental processes to foster climate adaptation solutions, youth leadership, and policy governance within the UN system and civil society. He effectively integrates gender equality, Indigenous rights, and youth perspectives into global climate initiatives. As the Co-founder of Lead4Earth and an active participant in the UN process, Vikrant has significantly enhanced network reach and influenced policy across Asia-Pacific countries. His leadership has been pivotal in securing substantial funding for grassroots projects, directly benefiting over 50,000 individuals and mobilizing $300,000 USD. Vikrant's work has earned him the National Young Achiever's Award and a Gold Medal at the Global Sustainable Futures Network. He closely follows the Rio Conventions and serves as an advisor to the World Food Forum. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Madhu Bhatnagar National Coordinator Sustainability Education Madhu Bhatnagar, Head of the Environment Consciousness Programme at The Shri Ram Schools and Consultant for Shri Educare Schools, has devoted 36 years to education, spearheading transformative environmental initiatives across India. Her pioneering work has profoundly influenced environmental consciousness in education, impacting over 200,000 students and training hundreds of teachers in groundbreaking ways. Even before the Supreme Court's 1994 mandate on environmental education, Ms. Bhatnagar made it a compulsory part of the curriculum, inspired by the first Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report in 1990. She firmly believes in the role of schools in educating the broader community and society, and under her leadership, The Shri Ram Schools have become exemplars in sustainability. Key achievements include establishing water harvesting models, creating zero-waste zones, and implementing bans on firecrackers, polythene bags, and single-use plastics. In 2009, she introduced Vriksha Bandhan and developed a specialized Environmental Education Curriculum, now adopted by schools nationwide. A committed conservationist, Ms. Bhatnagar advocates the principle, "Give Nature Half, and it will balance itself." During the 2005 Tiger Crisis at Ranthambhore National Park, she played a crucial role in halting poaching by aiding in the rehabilitation of the Moghya tribals. Currently residing in DayalBagh, an Eco Village in Agra, she continues to volunteer with local schools, bridging societal gaps through education. Her remarkable contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Green Teacher National Award by Sanctuary Asia, the Eco-Warrior Award by the Vice President of India, and the Karamveer Chakra National Award by I-Congo and the United Nations. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Phurpa Lama Country Coordinator Phurpa Lama is from Nepal, a dedicated climate activist and educator hailing from Nepal, boasting over 13 years of expertise in addressing climate change issues. His journey began in Denmark, where he was selected to attend the come2gether Climate Ambassador Conference in 2009. Further enhancing his knowledge, he earned a degree in Crossing Borders Global Studies from Krogerup Hojskole in Denmark, focusing on environmental sustainability, climate change, and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Between 2012 and 2015, he served as a Resource Person at the NEFIN Climate Change Partnership Program in Nepal. In 2013, he underwent training by former US Vice President Al Gore and officially became a Climate Reality Leader for the Climate Reality Project. His commitment extended to numerous performances on climate change in isolated Nepalese villages, accompanied by over two dozen training sessions on climate change and REDD+ issues for various Indigenous Peoples organizations. His efforts aimed to empower communities with knowledge about the climate crisis, fostering meaningful actions for change. Notably, he initiated the "Light Up A Life For A Better Nepal" project after the devastating earthquake in 2015. This project, launched shortly thereafter, focused on supplying solar power lamps to villages devoid of electricity, concurrently raising awareness about the harmful impact of petrol-powered lamps. The primary objective is to introduce solar systems to hundreds of homes currently without electricity, replacing fossil fuel-based lighting systems in Nepal's remote mountain villages with sustainable alternatives. His advocacy extends globally, as he mentored during Climate Reality Leadership Corps events held in New Delhi, Florida, Philippines, and Pittsburgh. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Muntasir Mamun National Coordinator Muntasir Mamun is an engineer turned social entrepreneur and adventurer. Muntasir is the Country Coordinator for The Ocean Conservancy, US, and the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival World Tour, Canada. He also coordinates Kewkradong Bangladesh (www.kewkradong.com), an organization that runs advanced environmental protection projects in the oceans around Bangladesh. These projects focus on surveying and cleaning up marine debris while raising public awareness of its environmental impact. Muntasir has been involved in a Massachusetts Institute of Technology-led research program on Dhaka’s traffic congestion and successfully implemented a pilot project for a digital bus system in Dhaka for the Prime Minister’s Office of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. He participated in CSIRO's (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, an Australian government agency for scientific research) “Plastic Leakage to Ocean” project and partnered with OSEAN (Our Sea of East Asia Network, based in South Korea). He is also a member of the Asia-Pacific Civil Forum on Marine Litter (APML). Muntasir trained at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in India, completing both Basic and Advanced Mountaineering courses. He participated in four mountaineering expeditions in India, including the first Bangladeshi-India joint international mountaineering expedition for peace. Additionally, he has bicycled more than 40,000 km across 14 countries, including the USA, Canada, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Rwanda, New Zealand, Brazil, India, and France. He is the published author of three books on adventure travel and has organized six national and international photography exhibitions. He regularly writes about microplastics, plastic pollution, and environmental issues. Muntasir has received numerous awards and recognitions, including The British Council's International Climate Champion and The World Bank's Connect4Climate award. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Md. Nayeem Hossin Khan National Coordinator Md. Nayeem Hossain Khan, hailing from Bangladesh, holds a Master's Degree in Soil Science from Soil, Water and Environment Discipline of Khulna University and a Bachelor's Degree in Soil Science from the National University of Bangladesh. He is the founder of EnvoEdu, an environmental education organization, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and sustainability. With a versatile skill set encompassing leadership, communication, and computer proficiency, he has actively engaged in over 10 social development organizations. Nayeem has showcased his leadership abilities as President of the Bangladesh Soil Club and in roles such as Divisional Coordinator at SERAC-Bangladesh NGO. His national and regional coordination experience includes serving as National Coordinator for the Termite Society and Chief Coordinator for 64D Initiatives. Moreover, he has advocated for youth engagement as a member of Global Platform Bangladesh. Nayeem's diverse training includes workshops on research, data analysis, tourism, and gender equity in climate change. His expertise spans climate change impacts on coastal areas, disaster management, land management, and environmental law. With a track record of effective planning, coordination, and project management, Nayeem Khan is poised to make significant contributions to environmental and social initiatives. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Dr. Pooja Chopra National Coordinator Biodiversity Pooja brings over two decades of extensive expertise spanning domains including biodiversity interpretation, community-based ecotourism, climate change education, social development & transformation coaching across both private and government sectors. She is Founder Director of Orlina Ventures Pvt. Ltd., dedicated to creating immersive and educational spaces that facilitate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Holding a Ph.D. in Management from the esteemed Faculty of Management Studies at the University of Delhi, India, her research focus was dedicated to advancing the promotion of Ecotourism in India. Additionally, she boasts an MBA in Marketing and second master's degree in Forestry & Environment Management from Yale University, USA. In addition to being an entrepreneur since July 2005, her corporate repertoire encompasses training, brand promotion, market research, business development, and strategic marketing, demonstrating a proven track record in navigating diverse market landscapes. From the inception of ideas to their concrete implementation, Pooja adeptly steers projects towards success, leveraging her comprehensive skill set and profound industry knowledge. Her passion for sustainable practices and community engagement underscores her commitment to driving positive change within her field. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Sushila Regmi Adhikari National Coordinator Sushila Regmi Adhikari has 13+ years of extensive working experience in multiple sectors, from government to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and the development sector. She is a seasoned environmentalist with academic credentials in environmental science and law with a specialization in environmental law. Highly motivated and committed to environment conservation and sustainable development. As she worked in diverse arena she holds good knowledge and a multifaceted perspective to her advocacy efforts. Her experience in solid waste management involving youth and communities together, putting new aspects and approaches in it was exceptional which was also appreciated by the communities as well as the MoFAGA and DIFID by offering the best performance award. She has collaborated with inter/national agencies, government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to develop and initiate innovative ideas to addressing solid waste management issues. She has the verge of knowledge and exposure in policy crafting, program designing, and facilitating training/workshops. Holding a deep sense of responsibility toward Mother Earth and future generations, Sushila inspires others to join her, to traverse towards a more sustainable and habitable world. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Raj Mohan National Coordinator Reforestation Mr. Raj has been in the forefront of technology start-ups since 1999 and has over two decades of experience in building successful businesses. He has founded by Sustainable Green Initiative Organisation. At SGI, the social-enterprise start-up, the roles he plays are similar to what he did when he was 27, except that this path is much more socially and emotionally full-filling and satisfying. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Ugan Manandhar National Coordinator More than a cumulative of 2 decades of working experience in the climate adaptation and mitigation change, natural resources management, biodiversity conservation and energy sector that focused on international policies and negotiations (UNFCCC and CBD), assessing impacts, and mainstreaming and implementing the array of projects in the above-mentioned sectors. A strong and clear understanding on forest resources, management, water resources management and climate change adaptation in Nepal. Able to plan and innovate programs and undertake policy advocacy in climate change, forest resources management, water resource management and biodiversity conservation. More than a half a decade of field experience in developing, designing, and executing hydropower projects in Nepal, Bhutan, India and Myanmar, solar projects in Nepal and Myanmar and biogas projects in Nepal and advocate Cumulative Impact Assessments. Have demonstrated leadership roles in the climate change and energy arena both nationally and internationally and uptake of carbon financing programs (energy and forestry). Strong experience in undertaking community and government engagements. Working on bioplastics to phase out plastics. Worked as a mentor for youth on climate change and developing curriculum for schools (grade 6-8 and 9-10) and undergraduate and graduate programs of the Environment Science. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Back Pradeep Karuturi National Coordinator E Mobility With over a decade of experience in public policy, Pradeep has extensively worked on climate change-related issues, including sustainable mobility, Indigenous community welfare, and disaster relief management. His journey has taken him across various organizations in India and internationally, honing his expertise in these critical areas. In his full-time role, he leads policy advocacy in India, promoting sustainable mobility in cities through electric vehicles with the policy research think tank OMI Foundation. Additionally, Pradeep is a Global Shaper Alumni, an initiative by the World Economic Forum, and has undergone training in the Climate Reality Leadership Program. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Environment Management and Law from the National Law University of Delhi. He has also been selected for the Global Solvers Accelerator Program by the Melton Foundation for the 2024 cohort. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Youth Empowerment More than one-fifth of the total population in South Asia is under the age of 30. With a large youth demographic of young population, they play a pivotal role in playing a strong anchor towards fighting against climate change. This generation has high capacity building through their youth-led decision making. Empowering them takes utmost importance to transform our societies into green communities looking towards a climate resilient future. The Climate Project Foundation is constantly working towards creating green leaders through our youth led programs. The India and South Asia branch works actively to conduct workshops and events with school campuses and university students to bring about a transformative change in their outlook. With our programs like Youth For Earth, we have youth coming from South-Asia with their impact driven projects; aiming to solve a climate-led problem in their local communities. LCOY INDIA EVENT 2024 The Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) India 2024, held from 15th to 18th August in Mysore, Karnataka, was the largest youth-led climate event in India, bringing together 190 youth and 50 children from 26 states and 8 Union Territories. Organized by the Bring Back Green Foundation, Enact Earth Foundation, Sattvic Soul Foundation, and SEEPAD Foundation, the event featured The Climate Reality Project India & South Asia (TCRP) as a key knowledge partner. TCRP provided expert speakers, media support, and sponsored a delegation of climate reality leaders , along with Dr. Sakshi Grover, our staff member representing TCRP. The expert session on Clean Energy & Just Transition was conducted by Mr. Sunil Mysore, our senior Climate Reality Leader. The Sessions addressed critical topics such as climate justice, clean energy, and youth entrepreneurship that are relevant with CoP as well as help build capacity for new areas (green jobs) to look forward to. One of the important outcomes from the event is a draft of the National Youth Statement (NYS), gathering input from 1,832 youth voices nationwide. The event concluded with the NYS presentation to senior officials, highlighting India’s youth's unified commitment to climate action, with active participation from Climate Reality Leaders. Youth For Earth Youth For Earth is a collaborative initiative of Mobius Foundation and The Climate Project Foundation, started in the year 2019. Youth For Earth Championship offers a platform to the youth to come forward with their plan of action and contribute towards mitigating the climate crisis. The students were motivated to come up with innovative solutions, technological inventions for their on-ground project activities. In the last two editions, we have seen some inspiring and impactful youth-led stories where students took up a project on the environmental problems around their community or campus and worked on its solutions to bring about a change. The projects were chosen keeping the Sustainable Development Goals in mind. These students were recognised Nationally and Internationally and awarded for their efforts and commendable work. Youth for Earth 2019- Winners list and Project work Youth for Earth 2022- Winners list and Project work Youth for Earth 2023- Winners list and Project work Summer Training Programs The Climate Project Foundation has been conducting online summer training programs on various environment centric topics for the students. We believe that an environmentally conscious society can be created only if the youth of that society are empowered with sufficient knowledge; enabling the students with skills and appropriate attitude for a greener future. Year - 2022 For 2022, we decided to engage our young audience in understanding Green Jobs through our summer training program on ‘Planet needs Green Jobs’. The Climate Reality Project guided participants to learn from the various opportunities present in various colleges, universities and NGOs offering a plethora of these green opportunities. The Summer Program enabled them to learn about Green Career Options they could opt for and provided expert guided workshops for a month Telling them more about green entrepreneurship. More than 450 participants from India and South Asia attended it Live and 4000+ hits have been coming on social media platforms who watched it later. Year - 2021 With a view to ignite the creative skills of youngsters towards environmental conservation during the summer vacations,we introduced an innovative summer program for students of our registered GCP schools. Under this program, the young environmentalists were provided training in telling their own story and presenting their work in front of the world. The students participated in 3-day workshops which included mentor’s guidance sessions with experts from film making, storytelling, volunteering projects and many more. More than 500 students registered for the program and mentored by the experts to take up real time projects relating to environment and sustainability. The projects were then assessed and the winners were provided with certificates and awards. Other Initiatives The Climate Project Foundation has been associating with various organizations for events and programmes that are youth-centric and intend to create awareness, mobilize them and drive them to contribute towards mitigating climate change. International Youth and Sustainability Conference 2022 It was a two-day completely carbon neutral event that invited young students to explore various thoughtful ideas on sustainability delivered by the industry experts and climate leaders on building a better future. There was a practical workshop where participants presented their business prospects on sustainability and gave ideas to take up issues from their surroundings by giving it a scalable viable business model. Picture Awareness Campaign 2022 The Picture Awareness campaign gathered more than 300 students at the campus amphitheater of the Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, to raise a voice against the rapidly changing temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns in Pune. The students assembled with their umbrellas, to express their disdain toward these ever-changing climate forecasts. The event concluded with the students writing their displeasure about the climate changes on postcards. Green Conclave Green Conclave initiative was started to spread awareness and generate dialogues for green jobs to university students and take this ‘green’ approach to other existing jobs as well. Various esteemed panelists spoke about how in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency can be adopted. Indo German Tool Room It was a sensitization and awareness program on renewable energy careers at Indo-German tool room, Patna. The objective of the program was to stress on Energy Management practices for the passing out students as global Energy generation/usage is among the single highest phenomena responsible for global warming and how these engineers of the future can bring about meaningful change. The event was attended by more than 200 engineers.

Back Sumit Ramesh Arora National Coordinator Waste & Circular Economy Sumit R Arora is a Social Development Specialist with more than 15 years of experience working with the Government and Non-Government sectors. His areas of interest include Youth & Gender studies, Environment & Climate Change issues, Waste Management, Behaviour Change Management with core competency in the domain of Capacity Building, Institutional Strengthening, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Report Writing. Besides, he is a Doctorate in Sociology and has published a few research papers and articles in Journals of National and International Repute. He is a Certified Climate Reality Leader (CRL) under The Climate Reality Project, trained by Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Mr. Al Gore at “The Climate Reality Leadership Corps”, training program held at New Delhi (India) in February 2015. He is also President of Chandigarh based Civil Society Organization named ‘Association of Professional Social Worker and Development Practitioners (APSWDP)’, an association with Special Consultative Status with UN-ECOSOC, UN-DGC, and UNESCO-MIL Alliance. Share Profile Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link